Balsthal, Switzerland (castles galore)

In my previous post I cycled out of a long narrow valley and now I'm coming down into Balsthal (population 6,100). I see this castle off in the distance and it makes me scratch my head. Why is this castle so far away from town? What strategic importance does it provide so far away from town? I better check it out. 
 

The ruins of Neu-Falkenstein castle dates back to 1100. Why is it here? Behind the first two houses there's a two lane road leading out of the valley. That explains--it did have strategic importance. 

Leaving Balsthal via another road I pass Alt-Falkenstein castle. Built around 1100 it guarded another entrance to Balsthal.

The only way up to Alt-Falkenstein castle is via a walkway and I waste 20 minutes trying to find the pathway. 

I stop a few miles from Balsthal and look back. Whoa, I spot a castle up on the hills.  

Using the zoom lens on my camera I snap a photo. I later learn it's Neu-Bechburg castle and dates back to 1280. It went through a slew of owners and is now owned by a foundation--which rents it out for marriages. 

Coming to this roundabout I see this javelina. I grew up up in Arizona and that's what they call 'em. I know Switzerland has wild pigs as you can buy them in supermarkets in the winter--usually in a sauce and meat is tough. 

I haven't seen my friend outside a pastry shop in quite a while. 

Passing through a tiny village I spot a castle in the distance.

I asked three locals how to get up to the schloss (castle) but no one can tell me. I'm pretty sure it's private.

In and around Liestal, Switzerland

Cycling down the road about a dozen miles from Basel (population 180,000) I come across Angenstein castle guarding this strategic narrow gorge. Train tracks pass under this 13th century castle. I better check it out.
 

Hmm, this is the castle entrance and it's locked. Judging by the mailboxes it looks to have been converted into apartments. 

Cycling through Pratteln (population 16,000) I pass Pratteln castle (built 1356). 

It's early morning as I check out Liestal's old town area. Liestal (population 15,000), lies 10 miles south of Basel. There was a fest last night and the street sweepers were doing their jobs.   

So, I've been to Basel numerous times and the plan was for my bike and I to bypass Basel (via Liestal) and cycle down roads never seen by us. I'm following a bike route through scenic farmland. 

I pass a woman walking her dog and then pass a fire hydrant with a cat sitting atop. I stop and realize what had happened. This cat was in open terrain and had no where to go to escape the dog. I stopped and walked back to the cat. The very friendly cat let me pet her/him. 

Following the bike route I pass this herd of cows on either side of the road.

I stop to snap a photo and this cow comes right up to me! Don't know if she's curious or maybe passing cyclists give her handouts. I don't think she would appreciate my giving her some of my beef jerky.

Holy cow, this place looks very familiar! Back in 2003/2004 I cycled around Switzerland visiting more than 100 watch and watch related companies. I visited Oris here in Hoelstein (population 2,500) back in 2004. Jeez, the whole idea of this trip was to cycle on roads I've never been on.

When I visited back in 2004 they were celebrating 100 years in business and 40 people worked here.  See that green building in the background? Back in the 1960's over 800 people worked here and that green building used to be part of Oris. I went to corporatetrivia.com and looked up the story I wrote about the visit. Was given a nice reception.  

A few miles up the road from Oris in Waldenburg (population 1,100) I pass a complex of very old buildings with the name Revue Thommen on them. Between the buildings and the two lane road I'm on runs a creek. 

Revue Thommen is a watch company that dates back to 1853. It wasn't on my list to visit back in 2003/2004 I think because it had stopped making watches. 

So, right across the street from Revue Thommen is an apartment building and out front sits this sheriff's car from Clark County, Nevada with Swiss license plates. I wonder how much it cost to have it shipped here? 

I have to cycle up a mountain pass to get out of the narrow valley. Lots of green farmland. 

Laufen, Switzerland (Ricola)

 

The Birs river flows right through downtown Laufen, population 5,600.

The main street in Laufen's old town.

I was snapping a photo of one of Laufen's two remaining town gates when the following happened.

These two are on their way to be married in the church in the previous photo. 

Ricola, the maker of cough drops, breath mints and tea bags, was founded here in Laufen and this is a company store. 

When you open the door to enter the shop a recording of a man's voice sings out "Ricola"--like in the commercials I'm sure you've heard. 

Besides Ricola's products you can purchase lots of paraphernalia. Those look like Green Bay Packers ski caps.  

This is the ceiling inside the Ricola store.

Ricola's factory complex on the edge of town. 

Cycling around another part of Laufen I spot this Ricola factory which looks pretty new. Ricola was founded back in 1930 and has over $300 million in revenues.  

Passing through Zwingen (population 2,300) I spot Zwingen castle. This medieval complex dates back to the 13th century. It was originally built on an island but over the years part of the Birs river has dried up.

After getting through the gate you cross over a covered wooden bridge to reach the castle with its circular tower. 

Delemont, Switzerland

Delemont's (population 12,000) old town area lies on an elevated site above the town. Porte de Porrentruy (1756) is one of two remaining town gates. The red round tower is home to an art museum.

This late Renaissance style fountain dates back to 1583. Who's the half-naked guy atop? It's a savage (wild man)--the town's emblem. They had a sense of humor more than 400 years ago!

Here's another Renaissance style fountain dating back to 1576. It's the Virgin Mary. 

The Virgin Mary fountain stands in front of the town's former city hall (1742). 

Jeez, here's another beautiful Renaissance style fountain dating back to 1574. It's a lion in case you can't see.

As I've mentioned many, many times back in medieval times fountains were where locals obtained their drinking water, washed their clothes and, caught up in the gossip. These fancy fountains were also a way for a prosperous town to "show off". 

This is the second of the two remaining town gates. Porte au Loup dates back to 1775. 

It's market day and I took this photo because at the other end it's too full of market stalls.

The baroque-style Prince-Bishops castle dates back to 1724. I'm in the formal garden area on the backside of the castle. The front of the castle is enveloped in huge tents. Why? There's a festival going on. It's now houses the town's elementary schools.   

Who's this guy? It's a Roman warrior and dates back to 1577.

Romont, Switzerland

Getting to the hilltop medieval town of Romont (population 5,400) involves cycling up a steep road.   
 

Castle dates back to 1260.

Another view of castle's exterior.

Inside the castle grounds with one of the two remaining towers. 

View of church from castle ramparts (defensive wall).

This huge wheel helps bring water up from castle's well to the right

View of countryside

The other remaining lookout tower (built 1260).

One of two streets running through old town Romont.

Other street running through town. Not a single patisserie shop worth mentioning.